On: Systems Past: software innovations we actually use...

[vanviegen]

The only 3 real-life innovations we actually use:

- Vehicles. Invented in Mesopotamia about 7,500 years ago.

- Buildings. Invented by Neanderthalers about 44,000 years ago.

- Tools. Invented by early humans some 2,500,000 years ago.

I'm mostly kidding - but I do think the 'innovations' listed in the article are rather broad.

[GavinMcG → vanviegen]

Vehicles and buildings are clearly members of the "tool" category. Especially where they intersect. For example, the bikeshed.

[dasmoth → vanviegen]

Interesting way of thinking.

I'd add Agriculture and Cooking, too. Maybe also Medicine.

Edit: and writing?

[rootbear → vanviegen]

Did Neanderthals build dwellings or similar structures? I don't think I've heard that before.

[dasmoth → rootbear]

Suspect the source is http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/8963177... or similar.